Need help building Audio Sensing to LED out.

So this is my first post on this site and I’m sorry if it’s a little unorthodox in technical language. I’m not a pro at this but I am however a fast learner and able to research on my own to fill gaps in what I can’t understand. So take it easy on me ha-ha… I also appreciate any help or advice you might have!

Down to business:

Although ALL products I may need for this project may not be supplied on this site store I feel about 95% of it can be. So I’ll just throw that out as a disclaimer and I don’t get shut down on why I’m here.

I’m looking to build an Audio Sensing device to be housed near the motor of an automobile. The higher noise level from the motor, the more lights on a LED strip will light up. On the other hand if I can use a strip that gets significantly brighter I’d use that instead to simply things.

I’m not sure what type of LED strip, or strips I’d need but for the controllers sake I’d be looking at something like 15db for 1 light, 20db for the additional LED and so on up to 100db. Even if I can’t get that specific you understand what I’m looking to accomplish. I gradual length of light being lit for higher sound. I’d like to incorporate a kill switch for this project by means of a toggle or whatever I’m not picky.

Example: lets say I’ve got an LED strip that powers like I said above and its mounted to a separate location. I’d like that light to react from an Audio sensor mounted in the engine area. I’d also like to be able to turn this entire thing off from the drivers seat.

The idea is simple in terms of concept but I don’t know what I need to accomplish the basics. I can work around the environmental issues later for the sensor and LEDs. Mounting locations aren’t an issue inside the cabin for anything I just need to be able to run wiring to each product. What I would be interested in is how I’d increase power if needed for more LED strips from the control module. I’m not sure if a power increase would have to piggyback off the main module or if something’s available that has that functionality already. I’d like to keep this as compact as possible.

https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/do … okup-guide

Here’s an alternate technique: https://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/BarGraph

Yikes, maybe this stuff is way out of my league.

Check this youtube video (I googled ‘sound level vu meter’):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URLVHaJbHyY

If that looks like it’s too complicated, then I would look for a kit (Jameco has several). Just google VU meter kit.